Walmart’s CEO Doug McMillon is set to retire at the end of this month, and he has spent his entire four-decade career climbing the ranks from the warehouse to the C-suite. Reflecting back on his whirlwind of a run at the $938 billion retail giant, McMillon had three lessons for Gen Zers stepping into the workforce—and the first doesn’t require a fancy degree, only determination.
“Career-wise, the first thing I tell anyone who asks for guidance is to do today’s job well, be present, drive change, deliver results, and do it the right way,” McMillon told graduates during his commencement address at the University of Arkansas in 2024. “Being present in today’s role and earning trust leads to the next job opportunity.”
